Hydrogen sulfide monitor

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method for determining the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a gas mixture such as air even at or near room temperature at low parts per million or at higher levels. Silver is deposited on a thin dielectric film, then exposed to the hydrogen sulfide containing gas mixture. The electrical resistance across the film before and after exposure to hydrogen sulfide, plus the time exposed, are utilized in determining the amount of hydrogen sulfide present. An apparatus utilizing standardized films provides direct reading hydrogen sulfide content results.

United States Patent [191 Cheng et al.

[111 3,820,958 1451 June 28, 1974 [5 HYDROGEN SULFIDE MONITOR 3,479,257 11/1969 Shaver 338/34 [75] Inventors: Chin Huan Cheng; Bruce C. Peters, ggggggg 5x33? igr i et 23/254 E g ey et al. 73/27 X both of Mldland, Mlch- 3,714,562 1/1973 McNerney 324/65 R [73] Assignee: The Dow Chemical Company,

Midland Mich Przmary Exammer-S tanley T. Krawczewicz [22] Filed Jan 29 1973 Attorney, Age/1!,0r Fzrm-Earl D. Ayers [21] Appl. No.: 327,394 ABSTRACT Apparatus and method for determining the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a gas mixture such as air even at [52] ggs/ or near room temperature at low parts per million or [51 Int Cl G01 27/62 6 27/02 at higher levels. Silver is deposited on a thin dielectric [58] Fieid 324/65 P R 71 SN film, then exposed to the hydrogen sulfide containing 338/34; R07 032 E E. 3 gas mixture. The electrical resistance across the film before and after exposure to hydrogen sulfide, plus the time exposed, are utilized in determining the amount [56] uNlTE g gfizi gs gziENTs of hydrogen sulfide present.

An apparatus utilizing standardized films provides ggg g f direct reading hydrogen sulfide content results. 3:437:446 4/1969 Pierce 23/232 E 3 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures Cons/an 1 curren/ Sou/c e 32 \18 l 4 J 22 0 "/a va/ in oefer 20 .30 LJL H 5/90) as .samp e) 2 Z 9 14 k 24 1 1i i J44? M BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus and method for determining the presence of hydrogen sulfide in gas mixtures even at or near room temperature, and particularly to such an apparatus and method which is capable of detecting the presence of hydrogen sulfide at the level of a few parts per million or higher levels.

A need exists for a simple, more sensitive means to measure the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a gas mixture such as air.

The so-called lead acetate colorimetric method is sensitive only to about 6 to 40 parts per million.

In addition, many systems for determining the presence of hydrogen sulfide in gas mixtures are not readily adaptable to portable or field usage.

A need also exists for a simple, portable instrument for providing a direct indication of the concentration of hyrogen sulfide in a gas mixture such as air.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION STATEMENT OF INVENTION In accordance with this invention, there is provided an apparatus and method for determining the presence of hydrogen sulfide in a gas mixture such as air at or near room temperature at low parts per million or higher levels. Silver is deposited on a dielectric film, then exposed to the hydrogen sulfide containing gas mixture. The electrical resistance across the film before and after exposure to hydrogen sulfide, plus the time exposed, are utilized in determining the amount of hydrogen sulfide present.

An apparatus, including a resistance measuring meter, utilizing standardized films provides direct reading hydrogen sulfide content results.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention, as well as additional objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood when the following detailed description is read in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatical view of apparatus in accordance with this invention, and FIG. 2 is achart adapted for use with the method of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Referring to the drawing, particularly to FIG. I, there is shown apparatus, indicated generally by the numeral 10 which includes a walled container I2 having a sealable end 14 through which a silver coated dielectric film 16 is inserted.

An inlet passage 24 for hydrogen sulfide containing gas sample is provided in the end 141.

A constant current source 18 is coupled to the silver coating 26 at each end of the film 16 by the leads 20, 22, the lead 20 having a resistor 34 in series therewith.

Leads 2%, 3t) connect the coated ends of the film 116 to a digital voltmeter 32.

The reaction between silver metal and hydrogen sulfide is utilized in this invention for quantitative analysis of the concentration of hydrogen sulfide in air or any gas mixture. The tolerable threshold limit, for humans, or MAR-value of hydrogen sulfide in air is 10 parts per million (l5 mg/m The present invention can detect H S z one part per million in about 30 min. The silver is deposited as a thin film (about 2 cm X 6 cm X 300 Angstroms) on any dielectric substrate (glass or plastic plate), and the film electrical resistance is measured potentiometrically using a small measuring current (10 milliamperes, for example). Then S (A/ R )([AR/R,]), where S is proportional to the thickness of the silver sulfide layer; A, a constant, characteristic of the film dimensions; R the initial resistance; AR, the change of resistance; and R the resistance at time t. It was found that S is a linear function of H 8 concentration at a given time t. It was also found that sulfur dioxide or chlorine has no adverse effect on this measurement because of the limited exposure time.

The graphical representation shown in FIG. 2 illustrates that individual calculations are not necessary to determine the concentration of hydrogen sulfide present in the air.

The base line 36 is simply moved up or down to coincide with the initial film resistance value, R and then a straight line is drawn through the final resistance value, R, and the R value, and then extended to read the hydrogen sulfide concentration (based on the exposure time of the film). In FIG. 2, the Constant A is accounted for by the scale.

OPERATION across the coating by the constant current source I8, the reading on the voltmeter is a function of resistance.

, After the coating has been exposed to hydrogen sulfide for a predetermined time, the resistance of the coating (the voltage drop across the coating a constant current being applied) is measured again to determine R,. The AR then may be determined and the hydrogen sulfide concentration calculated (or FIG. 2 may be used).

If standardized coatings 26 are used, R would be the same for all films 116 used. Thus, the only reading needed would be the R or final reading. This R, reading, as may be seen from FIG. 2, and assuming a predetermined exposure to hydrogen sulfide, would be directly related to a discrete hydrogen sulfide concentration value.

It would be practical, then, to have the voltmeter scale read hydrogen sulfide concentration instead of voltage because there is a direct correlation.

From a practical standpoint, a precision resistor is usually substituted for the coating 26 in calibrating the constant current.

4 of hydrogen sulfide concentration at a given time, R is the initial resistance, R, is the resistance after exposure for a predetermined time, AR is the difference between R and R, and A is a constant.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said film of silver is about 300 Angstroms in thickness.

3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said predetermined time is between 5 minutes and a half hour.

(5/69) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3.820 958 Dated June 28, 1974 lnvenwfls) Chin Huan Cheng, Bruce C. Peters It is certified that error appears in. the aboveh and t at said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as identified patent shown below:

Column 3, line 7, after "mixture" the words with said film should be inserted.

Signed and sealed this 17th day 0f December 1974.

- (SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. (2. MARSHALLDANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 22;;33 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3!820r958 Dated n 2 9 Inventor( Chin Huan Cheng', Bruce C. Peters It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown "below:

Column 2, lines 20-21 should read:

S A/R AR/R Column 3, line 11, the formula should read 7 S A/R AR/R Signed and sealed this 15th day of October 1974.

(SEAL) Attest:

MCCOY M. GIBSON JR. C. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said film of silver is about 300 Angstroms in thickness.
 3. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said predetermined time is between 5 minutes and a half hour. 